12
At Evergreen Roadworks, we believe a strong community is the foundation on which to build our lives. As we reflect on 2024, our team is grateful for the opportunities we have had to contribute to the well-being of those around us. Through education, service and support, we have worked to make a meaningful difference in the communities we call home.
Education is one of the key areas where we aim to have a lasting impact. Close to one of our locations, Parkland College trains the next generation of construction professionals. Our partnership with Parkland began with employees like Jeff Kern and Butch Cross, who serve on advisory boards to help shape the college’s construction programs.
This spring, Cross also volunteered as an instructor for Parkland’s Concrete Training Class. Evergreen supported this effort by donating materials for hands-on learning. Beyond the classroom, we have sponsored graduation celebrations, supported Parkland’s Woman of Impact scholarship event and welcomed students to tour our facilities several times throughout the year. These connections have borne fruit, as several of our new hires come from Parkland’s Construction Management program.
Cross teaches Parkland’s Concrete Class ……………….. Parkland Students Tour Evergreen
We are proud to invest in teaching, mentoring and building long-term relationships with Parkland Community College students and faculty.
Our partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I) is another cornerstone of our educational outreach. In the spring, we participated in the U of I career fair, seeking bright, motivated students to join our summer internship program. These interns brought fresh ideas and energy, gaining hands-on experience in the paving industry, while helping Evergreen improve our processes.
Three of our summer interns out in the field with Jeff Kern
We also connected with younger students, participating in a local high school career fair to showcase the many opportunities available in road construction.
In addition to investing in education, we are proud to support impactful local organizations through our donor fund. This year, our contributions benefited Cunningham Children’s Home of Urbana, Mahomet Community Foundation, United Way of Champaign County, and the Experience Champaign-Urbana project at Skelton Park. These organizations do critical work to support families and individuals across our home region, and we are honored to help them make a difference.
We are especially inspired by the opportunity to serve. A highlight of this year was a volunteer day with United Way, where a group of Evergreen employees learned about the financial challenges many families face when trying to afford diapers. Together, we repacked diapers for distribution through the Bottom Line Diaper Bank. “It was an educational, enjoyable and fulfilling experience for the team,” said John Peisker.
Volunteering with United Way …………………………………………………………….. Food Drive Collection
In October, our employees came together again to collect and donate 2,000 pounds—literally a ton—of food to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Employees from across our organization, including truck drivers and trucking companies, lab and plant workers, job site crews, office staff and five local union partners, joined forces to feed our neighbors.
As we look to the future, we are excited to deepen our relationships with local partners and continue building strong connections in the community. To the Evergreen team, thank you for your commitment to making a positive impact. Your dedication inspires us every day.
As Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
